Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Theatres: Finance

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that theatres are financially viable.

Nigel Huddleston: Theatres have been eligible to access Government COVID-19 support throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes various government-backed loans, business grants, reduction in VAT and the extended furlough and self-employed support schemes.Theatres have also benefited significantly from the Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF). To date, over £1.5 billion has been allocated from this fund, reaching around 5,000 individual organisations and sites. Of this funding, around £280 million has gone to organisations classifying their primary discipline as theatre. This includes both grants and significant offers made to theatre organisations through the Culture Recovery Fund’s Repayable Finance programme.Providing access to emergency funding throughout the winter period, we have reopened the Emergency Resource Support strand of the CRF programme. We have also recently announced a £30m increase to the budget of this strand, and adjustments to the application windows. This is giving more applicants at imminent risk of financial failure an opportunity to bid for support, protecting even more organisations so that they can continue to create jobs and contribute to the economy. The third round of CRF is still open for applications, providing vital ongoing support for the cultural, heritage and creative sectors. We will keep the delivery of the programme under active review and consider how best to adapt it in line with the needs of the sector.In addition, through 2021/22, Arts Council England estimates that it has provided approximately £125 million of regular funding for organisations classified as theatres, which will ensure they are able to continue operating in a financially stable position.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will require face masks to be worn in all indoor venues, including shops and on transport, in response to the high covid-19 infection rates.

Maggie Throup: On 10 December, face coverings were made a legal requirement in most indoor public places, including cinemas, theatres and places of worship in addition to the existing rules for shops and public transport, including taxis. Face coverings are not required in hospitality settings such as cafes, restaurants and pubs or in nightclubs and other night-time dance venues. Face coverings will also not be required in fitness settings and when people are exercising.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department has provided to district nurse teams to ensure they have the resources required to carry out vaccinations for people who are housebound.

Maggie Throup: District nurse teams and community nurses contribute to all vaccinations programmes for those who are housebound, as commissioned locally. Community nurses have access to free vaccination e-learning and support from regional hubs.Local National Health Service and general practice teams are contacting their eligible housebound patients and working with St John’s Ambulance to give local areas additional support. Funding is also being provided for local teams secure additional staff to ensure that all eligible housebound patients are offered a COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Travel: Coronavirus

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the credibility of private online PCR testing companies for travel purposes; and what penalties are in place to ensure that consumers are compensated when no test kit is received from private online PCR testing companies.

Maggie Throup: All private providers of COVID-19 testing services must meet certain minimum standards set by the Government. Providers must complete a declaration stating that their tests meet these standards.  If we become aware that a provider is not meeting these standards, we can issue a warning to demonstrate they have rectified their service. Where this is not corrected, we can remove their listing from GOV.UK. Where a provider’s activities pose a potential risk to public safety, we will refer them to the appropriate enforcement body. Where necessary we will support regulatory bodies undertaking further investigation of a provider and support any legal actions or interventions.If a consumer has not received their test kit, they should contact the provider directly in the first instance. If the problem is not resolved, further information can be found on GOV.UK guidance on consumer rights at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, by what date approved covid-19 vaccines administered overseas will be recorded in the UK vaccine system so that UK nationals vaccinated overseas may access an NHS covid pass.

Maggie Throup: From 9 December, English residents who have received vaccinations overseas can have these doses added to the NHS vaccine database. This will generate a NHS COVID Pass for domestic use and international travel if they meet certain certification requirements.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which hospital trusts are providing covid-19 vaccinations at antenatal clinics; and from what date each of those clinics began providing those vaccinations.

Maggie Throup: The information requested is not held centrally. There are also a number of ways pregnant women can receive these vaccinations on a walk-in basis. NHS England is working with vaccination leads to increase the availability of walk-in vaccination clinics for pregnant women within or on the same site as maternity services.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to resolve issues with automated NHS IT systems which are preventing members of the public from accessing a booster jab after three months.

Maggie Throup: Everyone over the age of 18 years old is now able to book their booster dose through the National Booking System. NHS England is not aware of any specific IT which may affect the ability to book an appointment. Availability is subject to eligibility and the number of appointments locally. Queuing is introduced at exceptionally busy times.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when covid-19 vaccinated children under the age of 16 will be able to demonstrate their vaccination status using NHS covid pass; and whether the vaccination information of those children will appear on the (a) digital and (b) physical pass.

Maggie Throup: Since 13 December, fully vaccinated 12 to 15 year olds are able to demonstrate their vaccination status using an NHS COVID Pass travel letter. We are also looking at potential digital solutions.